MATCH INFO

Russia starts ahead in Pool E of the second round

Blocking power was an important element in Rusian win

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2011 - Russia opened the second round of the FIVB Men's Junior World Championship with a straight-set (25-20, 25-18, 25-20) over Spain in a match of Pool E played at Maracanazinho Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro.

Russia temporarily leads the group with three points, while Spain has none. The other contestants Iran and the United States will clash later today in their first match.

Russia scored the first three points of the match making use of its powerful block, but Spain reacted helped by captain Jorge Almansa and took the lead 10-9 with Ruiz blocking a second ball of Russian setter Dmitry Kovalev. The Spaniards remained ahead until the second technical timeout, when Alexander Safonov blocked to put Russia in the lead 17-16. Taking advantage of Spain spike mistakes in the end, Russia closed the set 25-20 with Safonov blocking again.

The Russian started the second frame in the lead and went to the first technical timeout with 8-6 after a spike of outside hitter Oleg Tsentalovich. The difference improved in the middle of the frame, when Safonov stopped the Spanish attack again to score 17-14. By committing again several mistakes in the end, Spain made the rivals victory easier by score of 25-18.

With its block working and bringing trouble to Spain´s attack, Russia scored 8-4 in the beginning of the third set. With Filippov impressive performance in blocking, the Russian easily achieved a 16-9 lead in the second technical timeout. In the end, Tsentalovich spiked against the block to give the Russian a 25-20 win.

In the second round of the Pool E, Russia will play against Iran, this Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. Spain will be back Maracanazinho´s court at 4:00 p.m. to face the United States.